O2 Unveils the 50 Most Exciting UK Companies in Mobile; First Ever Independent List Identifies the Future Faces Of Mobile

-- The O2 50 to Watch have combined revenues of GBP 1 billion

-- 30% of the companies operate globally

-- 62% are based outside of London

-- 50 companies chosen from a list of over 200

-- Companies range from automated gas meter readings to mobile rat-catching

Unveiled today, the O2 50 to Watch in Mobile is the first everindependently compiled list identifying the 50 most important Britishmobile companies to watch. The list looks beyond handset manufacturersand network operators, to reveal the new vibrant and innovativecompanies that are shaping the future of the mobile industry.

Published in conjunction with Real Business, the O2 50 to Watchrepresent combined revenues of GBP 1 billion and demonstrates how UKcompanies are pioneering the evolution of the mobile industry - andare doing so with astonishing flair and diversity. O2 is committed tobuilding mutually beneficial and profitable partnerships across themobile industry and the O2 50 to watch is great practical example ofthis.

It also highlights the strength, innovation and dynamics of a newindustry with robust business models, which is making real money fromreal consumers and businesses. Companies included in the list rangefrom corporate PC-to-text services to interactive poster-advertisingto automated gas meter readings. Many of the individuals behind the O250 to Watch are industry heavy-weights, serial entrepreneurs or thenext generation of industry personalities.

Mike Short, VP Research & Development, at O2, comments: "Mobiletechnology is arguably the world's most exportable commodity. It ismore deeply entrenched than any other communications technology. 85%of UK households own mobile devices and there are nearly two billionmobile users in more than 210 countries. In comparison, only 40% ofhouseholds have a PC.

The criteria for selection is that the companies are British,growing, not too big yet, making money, have a sound future and acertain X-factor which sets them apart from their peers. The O2 50 toWatch does not just reflect current activity, but are a harbinger ofmuch greater things to come.

Short continues: "The global market for innovative and usefulmobile technology is vast - and it's a market that the UK's leadingmobile lights are rushing to service. What this list clearlyillustrates is that, beyond the household names, there is a host ofexciting and emerging companies, which are spawning content andservices driving mobile to the next level."

Adam Leyland, Editor, Real Business, adds: "A casual glance at themobile industry might reveal it to be the exclusive playground of ahandful of network operators and handset manufacturers. But this listshows British mobile innovations are one of the foremost drivers inthis industry and have already sparked vast global businesses. Forexample in 1999 Alexander Amosu made GBP 96 from his first ringtone;today, ringtones globally are a GBP 3.5 billion market."

The O2 50 to Watch in Mobile were selected from a list of over 200companies by an independent panel of experts including: Mike Short VPResearch & Development - O2 Group Technology, Professor PeterCochrane, Adam Leyland, Editor - Real Business, and Mike Grenville,Editor - 160 Characters.

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About O2

O2 is a leading provider of mobile services to consumers andbusinesses in the UK. It is the leader in non-voice services,including text, media messaging, games, music and video, as well asalways on data connections via GPRS, 3G and WLAN. Each month O2's 15million plus customers send more than three quarters of a billion textmessages. O2 (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of O2 plc, which also owns O2branded mobile operators in Ireland and Germany as well as the AirwaveO2 emergency services network in the UK.